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Pillar 3

Action 51

Facilitate transfers of nuclear technology and international cooperation among States parties in conformity with articles I, II, III, and IV of the Treaty, and eliminate in this regard any undue constraints inconsistent with the Treaty.

China

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

China has consistently supported nuclear-technology transfer and international cooperation for peaceful purposes. It has supported the central role of the IAEA in facilitating peaceful-use cooperation, contributed to the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund, concluded intergovernmental agreements on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation with more than 30 countries, and supported education and training for developing countries through nuclear energy management schools and nuclear engineering scholarship programmes. China has also maintained nuclear export controls based on peaceful, non-explosive use, IAEA safeguards and prior consent for re-transfer, thereby linking technology transfer to non-proliferation obligations.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

Continuing the above trend, China has reported practical support for technology transfer and cooperation through more than $120 million in contributions to the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund, China–IAEA Nuclear Energy Management Schools for more than 250 professionals from 36 emerging nuclear-power countries, the China Atomic Energy Scholarship Program for 400 students from 46 developing countries, and expanded cooperation with the IAEA in nuclear safety, nuclear security, food and agriculture, resources and environment, and the nuclear fuel cycle.

In its proposed elements for the 2026 NPT Review Conference final document, China called for rejecting politicization and inappropriate restrictions on peaceful uses, while also stating that peaceful-use cooperation must not be used as a pretext for proliferation activities.

Sources

Statement by the Chinese Delegation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy at the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, May 6 2025

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the People’s Republic of China, NPT/CONF.2026/33, 17 April 2026

France

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

France is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group and implements its directives, as well as domestic and EU regulations, to frame its nuclear exports policies. Through its commercial providers, it is responsible for technology transfers and training of operators in dozens of countries.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

France continued to implement the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group’s directives, as well as domestic and EU regulations, to frame its nuclear exports policies. Through its commercial providers, it is responsible for technology transfers and training of operators in dozens of countries.

Sources

Nuclear energy: report on the expertise of France, Working paper submitted by France, NPT/CONF.2026/PC.II/WP.8, 28 May 2024,https://reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Disarmament-fora/npt/prepcom24/documents/WP8.pdf

Russia

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

Russia consistently asserted that international non-proliferation efforts should not lead to unreasonable restrictions on legitimate trade in dual-use goods and technologies and on civil scientific and technological cooperation

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

Russia continued to advocate broader access for States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy and reaffirmed that each State Party has the right to pursue its national nuclear energy policy independently without interference, and to cooperate in this field without discrimination.

Russia additionally noted that imposing unilateral coercive measures, creating artificial barriers to bilateral and international cooperation and undermining the principle of equal access to nuclear materials, equipment and technical information to be used for peaceful purposes are violations of article IV of the Treaty.

Sources

National report of the Russian Federation for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York), 21 May 2015.

https://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2015/pdf/NPT-CONF2015-48_National%20report%20of%20the%20Russian%20Fed_E.pdf

National report of the Russian Federation, 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York), 2 March 2026.

https://docs.un.org/en/NPT/CONF.2026/14

National report of the Russian Federation, 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York), 19 March 2021.

https://docs.un.org/en/NPT/CONF.2020/17/Rev.1

United Kingdom

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

At the 2015 NPT Review Conference, the UK reaffirmed the inalienable right of all States Parties to access the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, provided that they are in compliance with their obligations, and stated its readiness to assist states in the development of safe and secure civil nuclear energy.

The UK’s 10th Review Conference national report set out the breadth of its engagement on nuclear technology transfer during the prior cycle. The UK confirmed that it has an internationally integrated civil nuclear industry operating across the nuclear lifecycle, providing facilities and services for enrichment, chemical conversion, fuel production, generation, decommissioning, waste management and research. The UK plays an active role in multilateral organisations to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, including through the International Framework for Nuclear Energy, the Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future initiative, the Nuclear Energy Association, and the IAEA.

In 2021, the Nuclear Cooperation Agreements signed by the UK with Australia, Canada, the US and Euratom came into force, with administrative arrangements consistent with the UK’s obligations under the Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines. In 2019, the UK reviewed its interpretation of those guidelines and strengthened controls on re-export of UK items already abroad through the ongoing exchange of government-to-government assurances.

The UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory and the Institute for Global Food Security were both designated as IAEA Collaborating Centres in 2020, with the NNL partnership focused on developing nuclear fuels and technologies of the future, and the IGFS collaboration advancing the global food security agenda.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

The UK has reiterated that it recognises the inalienable right of all States Parties to develop and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as set out in the NPT, and would only refuse an export licence application if the intended transfer would be inconsistent with its export control obligations. The UK ran an industry training seminar in May 2024 for UK industry participants involved in nuclear exports, providing information on international obligations and commitments, nuclear safeguards and reporting, regulatory frameworks and how licensing works in practice.

The UK continues to explore Nuclear Cooperation Agreements with other partners where it would be mutually beneficial, and is working closely with the IAEA on the potential growth of new reactor types including SMRs.

Sources

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2015). The United Kingdom remains committed to the Non Proliferation Treaty. 27 April. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-united-kingdom-remains-committed-to-the-non-proliferation-treaty

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2022). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty (London), 5 November. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/treaty-on-the-non-proliferation-of-nuclear-weapons-uk-national-report-for-the-10th-review-conference/uk-national-report-pursuant-to-actions-5-20-and-21-of-the-treaty-on-the-npt-review-conference-2010-for-the-10th-npt-review-conference

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2022). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty (London), 5 November. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/treaty-on-the-non-proliferation-of-nuclear-weapons-uk-national-report-for-the-10th-review-conference/uk-national-report-pursuant-to-actions-5-20-and-21-of-the-treaty-on-the-npt-review-conference-2010-for-the-10th-npt-review-conference

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2022). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty (London), 5 November. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/treaty-on-the-non-proliferation-of-nuclear-weapons-uk-national-report-for-the-10th-review-conference/uk-national-report-pursuant-to-actions-5-20-and-21-of-the-treaty-on-the-npt-review-conference-2010-for-the-10th-npt-review-conference

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty. <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df600a53469bbcdf408e8b/UK-National-Report-11th-Treaty-on-the-Non-Proliferation-of-Nuclear-Weapons-NPT-Review-Conference.pdf>

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty. <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df600a53469bbcdf408e8b/UK-National-Report-11th-Treaty-on-the-Non-Proliferation-of-Nuclear-Weapons-NPT-Review-Conference.pdf>

United States

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

See Action 49.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

See Action 49.

Sources

See Action 49.